A Comprehensive Guide to the Instacart App for Customers | Gigworker.com (2023)

FAQs

Can you make $1000 a week with Instacart? ›

As an Instacart shopper, you can expect to earn anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per week. The amount you make will depend on several factors. These factors include how many orders you complete and the size of the orders. In general, shoppers who complete more orders will earn more money.

Using the Instacart app, consumers order food, beverages, health products, and other items from the grocery store. Customers can choose to have their order delivered or set aside for in-store pickup. The Instacart business model is similar to Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb.

It will cost you more than a regular shopping trip, but if you're OK with that, then give it a try. If you end up loving it and find yourself making frequent orders, then it may be worth it to pay up for the yearly Instacart membership.

To earn $500 a week with Instacart, you likely need to work around 25 hours if you average $20 per hour in pay. This is a realistic hourly rate in busy markets, but it also assumes you get enough batches and that you shop efficiently. You can also get lucky with large tips and potentially make $500 much faster.

The amount of money that Instacart shoppers can earn highly depends on the effort they will put into the job. For an 8-hour shift, the average pay is around $88 – $128. This value can go up to $300, assuming that they work in the top cities, get higher tips, work overtime, and make extra effort for the clients.

As part of our new offerings for shoppers in California, we're introducing guaranteed minimum earnings — a guarantee that you will earn at least 120% of minimum wage and $. 30 per mile you spend shopping and delivering.

How much does Instacart+ cost? For a flat standard fee of $99/year or $9.99/month, members enjoy unlimited free delivery on orders of $35 or more (per retailer), and other benefits.

Instacart issues paychecks weekly via direct deposit. Instant Cashout is a feature you can use as a full-service shopper, which allows for an immediate payday, as long as you have at least $5 in earnings.

Not at all. As an Instacart shopper, you'll get a payment card from Instacart and use it at the checkout register at every store you shop. Getting a payment card is simple.

One downside of Instacart is that the store can be out of items even though you purchased them online. There are settings to help everyone, and you can pick between “substitute" and "refund. “ Watch your phone for alerts from shoppers when they start shopping.

What are the risks for Instacart? ›

Instacart is a safe place, but customers must also be alert. Fraudsters will come in many ways and use different techniques to get data. So, any customer should stay updated with protective measures and reinforce their app's security. Besides, the proper scrutinization of orders is vital.

Instacart Shopper Cons:

Not always possible or as high-paying in small cities. Hourly pay can vary. You still put mileage on your vehicle and have to factor in fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Tax implications as an independent contractor.

How Much Can Instacart Shoppers Earn? Instacart shoppers get a minimum payment per completed order. The minimum amount for delivery-only orders is $5, while the sum for full-service orders varies from $7 to $10. Instacart shoppers can get their pay every week if they have made a minimum of $5.

No, Instacart doesn't reimburse for gas.

While this isn't the same as reimbursing you for gas, it can help you get a more accurate understanding of what you're actually taking home each week so you can plan accordingly.

Your taxes will be more complicated, because you're treated as an independent contractor, not an Instacart employee. Unlike in-store shoppers, full-service shoppers don't have their taxes withheld. You'll have to file and pay them yourself. You'll also have to contend with self-employment tax.

Instacart pays us between $7-$9 (on average as base) per order, depending on what part of the country we live in and that usually includes mileage AND the shopping part. Instacart is not an hourly schedule sort of job.

Instacart payment schedule

Instacart pays all shoppers weekly via direct deposit to a bank account. Full-service shoppers have the option to access funds faster through “Instant Cashout.” This option immediately transfers funds to a debit card.

The Perks of Instacart (and Others)

If you have a tank of gas, a working phone, and no accessibility issues, Instacart can be a great way to pick up some extra funds. In several hours spread over a couple of days, I scooped up enough money to buy some extra groceries and replenish the gas in my car.

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Instacart, like many other gig economy companies, classifies its shoppers as independent contractors. This means they are not entitled to traditional employee benefits like health insurance, overtime pay, workers' compensation, or the right to form a union.

A few notes: Drivers receive some of the heavy order fee. It's confusing because customers are charged based on total order weight, and Instacart shoppers are paid based on how many individual items weigh over eight pounds. Heavy fees may be applied after your order is placed.

Does Instacart pay if no orders? ›

Instacart independent contractors only get paid when they complete orders. However, Instacart also utilizes In-store shoppers, who are part-time employees who receive an hourly wage without regard to the number of orders being received.

Why Did Instacart Charge Me $100? If Instacart charged you $100 outside of a grocery delivery, odds are you signed up for the Instacart Express membership and forgot to cancel it.

The service fee helps support the Instacart platform and covers a range of operating costs including shopper operations, insurance, background checks, and customer support. The service fee isn't a tip and doesn't go to the shopper delivering your order.

Instacart's service fee is much different from grocery stores' operational costs. Instacart charges these fees to cover expenses on their end. This includes customer support, employee background checks, and payment processing. Non-members' service fee is around 5% while Instacart members' service fee is about 1.9%.

We make sure that all items are maintained in temperature-controlled fridges and freezers at the store until the driver arrives. We've also implemented the use of insulated bags and coolers to make sure your items stay at the correct temperature while in transit from the store to you.

The Instacart app shows you how much you are making per week in the Earnings tab. They advertise that shoppers can make up to $25 per hour, but most shoppers report earnings of about $14 to $18 per hour. Like other forms of gig-based work, how much you make depends on how much time you invest in it.

A single shopper is expected to serve the customer, and it is this single Shopper that is paid for that order. Thus, it is against Instacart's rules for 2 Instacart shoppers to shop together on a single order.

When you use Instacart, a professional shopper will choose the best groceries, bag them up for you, and either have them ready for you to pick up or deliver them right to your home.

Instacart advises it's Shoppers to use manned checkout lines, but some stores will allow Instacart Shoppers to use their self-checkouts. If there are working self-checkouts that accept the rewards cards you'll later be given, it's more than likely that scanning a small order at self-checkout is okay.

Temporary Fuel Surcharge: We're implementing a temporary surcharge on customer orders to help offset the increased cost of gas over the next month. This surcharge will add an additional $. 40 on customer orders across our marketplace, with a clear indication of the fuel surcharge on the batch before you accept it.

What is the Instacart tipping scandal? ›

In one case, Instacart paid a worker just 80 cents for over an hour of work. Instacart has since said it was a glitch — caused by the fact that the customer tipped $10 — and has introduced a new minimum payment for orders. So, Instacart paid the worker $10.80, but just 80 cents of it came from Instacart.

By late spring of 2021, as the country emerged from lockdowns, that momentum had faded. Instacart's sales in the second quarter of the year fell sharply. Plans to go public that year looked less certain.

Retailers set the item prices on the Instacart marketplace. While many retailers offer everyday store prices* on Instacart, some retailers may set prices on the Instacart platform that are different than in-store prices. *Some in-store sales/promotions may not apply.

For example, we may display your first name, last initial, and your geolocation to customers to show them who is shopping and/or delivering their orders. Our retail partners. We may disclose your Personal Information to our retail partners in order to provide and maintain the Instacart service.

In most cases, they will simply refund the incorrect item, but depending on the issue, delivery of the correct item is possible. Naturally, you'll be sent an email confirmation immediately and notified of a fitting response. A written complaint, I believe, is the way to go.

Does DoorDash or Instacart Pay More? The money you make working for DoorDash or Instacart will depend on how often you work, your role, and tips. However, while the average earnings per hour are similar for both companies, DoorDash driver pay is typically more because their base rate for tips is higher.

Average Instacart Shoppers hourly pay ranges from approximately $8.00 per hour for Independent Contractor to $16.49 per hour for Store Shopper. The average Instacart Shoppers salary ranges from approximately $34,648 per year for Personal Shopper to $78,238 per year for Delivery Driver.

If you're an Instacart shopper, you're self-employed … and that means you likely owe quarterly taxes. If you have another part time job and also get a W-2, you'll want to check out our guide here.

While every company has specific background screening criteria, you'll likely be asked for your full legal name, any aliases, current address, date of birth, and social security number. Other information often requested is your driver's license number.

Early weekend mornings

That makes Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the best days for Instacart driving. And because Instacart is popular, with thousands of delivery drivers, you have to get on the Instacart app at the right times to have the best chance at getting grocery orders.

What are the best hours to work Instacart? ›

Best Time To Take On Instacart Batches

The best times to take on Instacart batches include evenings during the week (4 PM to 8 PM), and all day on weekends. Sunday is consistently the busiest day of the week so if you like to work weekends, you can maximize your earnings on this day.

How Many Hours Can You Work a Day With Instacart? As a full-service shopper, you can work as many hours per day as you please. There is no internal limit as long as work is available. But as an in-store shopper, your hours depend on the working hours of your retailer.

It is actually against Instacart policy to bring anyone with you while on an active batch. If you are caught or reported to Instacart, you can be deactivated. I have brought my children with me when I did my instacart shopping. When my 6 yr old dad was working & I needed the money what was I do.

The Standard IRS Mileage Deduction lets you deduct 58.5 cents/mile (for 2022). In 2021, the rate was 56 cents/mile. This is usually the best option for Instacart shoppers as this one standard rate covers costs like gas, depreciation, repairs, and maintenance.

Does Instacart Provide Shoppers With Bags? Instacart does not provide shoppers with bags for free. However, once you sign up as an Instacart shopper, you can opt in to receive four green Instacart thermal bags, which will be discounted from your first earnings.

Your 1099 tax form will be mailed to you, if you don't receive an email from Stripe or don't consent to e-delivery. Please allow up to 10 business days for mail delivery. Instacart will file your 1099 tax form with the IRS and relevant state tax authorities.

Can Instacart leave groceries on the porch? Instacart Shoppers can just leave a grocery delivery on the porch without any contact with the recipient. Simply select the “Leave at my Door” delivery option for a contactless delivery.

How Much Money Should You Set Aside? Most tax professionals recommend to set aside 30% of the payments store shoppers make some delivery services. This can help you cover any additional taxes Instacart may owe you at the end of the year.

Average Instacart Shoppers hourly pay ranges from approximately $8.00 per hour for Independent Contractor to $24.37 per hour for Delivery Driver. The average Instacart Shoppers salary ranges from approximately $15,000 per year for Driver (Independent Contractor) to $36,212 per year for Store Shopper.

What is the average daily Instacart income? ›

How much does Instacart pay per day? An average “batch” for Instacart pays between $15-20, and shoppers can do about 1 batch per hour, more or less. This means for an 8-hour shift, you can expect to earn a minimum of $120-160 per day shopping for Instacart.

Best Time To Take On Instacart Batches

The best times to take on Instacart batches include evenings during the week (4 PM to 8 PM), and all day on weekends. Sunday is consistently the busiest day of the week so if you like to work weekends, you can maximize your earnings on this day.

Early weekend mornings

That makes Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the best days for Instacart driving. And because Instacart is popular, with thousands of delivery drivers, you have to get on the Instacart app at the right times to have the best chance at getting grocery orders.

My high estimate of 280 million orders equates to 767,000 people ordering from Instacart a day instead of shopping on their own. This is just 2.4% of daily shoppers, which makes sense.

There are ways that you can verify your income as an Instacart shopper. You can contact customer support and request a letter confirming your earnings. You can also provide bank statements or tax documents as proof of income.